49ers experiencing the right kind of growing pains

The 49ers were carried by the defense in Seattle Sunday before losing, 12-9.

The offense four nights later kept the team in the game while the defense had a poor showing, allowing 41 points to the Rams, seven of which came by allowing a three-yard run from Todd Gurley on the first snap from scrimmage during the two-point loss.

These are the growing pains that should be expected for the 49ers in Year 1 of their Kyle Shanahan and John John-led overhaul. And the fact they didn’t lose the same way Sunday and Thursday is a sign things might be going the right direction, even if the 0-3 record doesn’t show it.

“I don’t really care about the record right now,” Shanahan said. “I care about how guys are responding to it and I want these guys to come back Monday ready to go and ready to fight to get our first win.”

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The defense played 79 snaps against the Seahawks and lost another safety when Jaquiski Tartt left the game the second half Thursday with a concussion. The pass rush wasn’t nearly as effective four days later and NaVorro Bowman, at this point in his career given his leg injuries, is never going to be a player that does well on a Thursday night game after playing Sunday.

The 49ers over the last two years lost games the same way every week. Thursday was different.

Shanahan’s team was able to score late in the game and never appeared demoralized even though it had plenty of reasons to be. They executed on special teams, even getting a little lucky along the way, recovering a fumble from Pharoh Cooper and getting possession after an on-side kick inside the two-minute mark.

San Francisco’s brand of football was more exciting Thursday than any point over the last two seasons under Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly. That’s worth something.

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San Francisco came into Thursday’s game averaging just 232.5 yards. Against the Rams Thursday it had 201 by halftime and finished with 421. The defense allowed 418 after yielding just 287 and 312 in the first two games played on regular rest.

If the team can match up Sunday’s defensive performance with what it did offensively on Thursday, then it’s going to be a more competitive group than many expected.

That being said, the 49ers are a long way from contending. But knowing it can play well on both sides, even though it hasn’t come at the same time, indicates an identity is forming.

The identity of San Francisco the last two seasons was a team trying to do the impossible by recapturing what it had with Jim Harbaugh. What the team needed was to start from scratch and build a new identity.

It’s early, but it looks like the 49ers are on their way to finding their footing.

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